Mince Pie In The Sky - A Hopeful Pre-trip Report

[westgrove]

I love the idea of teal! Red is quite halloween-piratey but the teal would be like a can-can pirate mix and work really well to me

 

[dolphingirl47]

I love the dress, but I think red and black is a bit more piratey. But I can't envision the teal and black. Everything you get looks fabulous though, get what you really want. That pendant is absolutely perfect!

I know this is a different style, but here is an example of a teal and black gown.

I think both options would work IMO though I think the crimson would be more piratey

Can't wait to see the finished dresses

I love the idea of teal! Red is quite halloween-piratey but the teal would be like a can-can pirate mix and work really well to me

I had always seen red as kind of a pirate colour even though this is not a colour I normally gravitate towards. I then had a look at a bunch of images from the Pirates of the Caribbean films and to my surprise, very little red features in those. Instead I found browns (which I loath), purples (which I love, but would not go with the red accessories), blues and indeed teals.



I also came across this beauty:

 

[dolphingirl47]

Discovery Cove

Discovery Cove has always been my idea of paradise. This even beats Castaway Cay for me. So it's a little surprising that I have not been back since October 2009. Since then a lot has changed.







My favourite part of the day has always been the dolphin swim. On my very first visit, I swam with a six year old dolphin called Dash. Dash is a real character and it was love on first sight. Unfortunately when we visited Discovery Cove again two years later, she had been moved to SeaWorld. The little minx had worked out how to open the gates between the lagoons. As this in itself was not bad enough, she then proceeded to teach some of the other dolphins to do the same. This created chaos on a daily basis so they moved her across to SeaWorld where there were no gates for her to open. She then had two calves over the years and I was lucky enough to interact with her at SeaWorld on a number of occasions over the years in various behind the scenes programmes. The last time I saw her was in 2009 behind the scenes at the dolphin stadium where she was training to be part of the Blue Horizons show. The same year I heard at Discovery Cove that they really wanted Dash back and that they had managed to change the gates in a way that they would be Dash-proof. She finally returned at some point during 2010. I had found out on a previous visit that you can actually request a specific dolphin. So I think I may request Dash.







Another firm favourite of mine is the aviary. We have spent many a happy hour especially in the small bird aviary just sitting there and playing perch for the birds. I particularly have a soft spot for the Mouse Birds. We do venture to the other two parts of the aviary as well though to feed the larger birds.







One of the things that I am particularly looking forward to is the Grand Reef. This was not there the last time we went to Discovery Cove and I also had not mastered snorkelling at this point. So I pretty sure that I will spend a lot of time snorkelling in the Grand Reef. We have also discussed trying the Sea Venture helmet dive although Graham is considering doing this in Cozumel. I have to admit the concept of being able to walk on the bottom of the sea or in this case at the bottom of the Grand Reef is both utterly fascinating and a little bit bewildering.





The last thing I am really looking forward to is the Freshwater Oasis. I have actually managed to find precious little information about this, but what I have found sounds good. This is where the old snorkelling reef used to be and is talking about water trails that you can explore and a rainforest canopy. I also know that they have otters and marmosets there. I also read something about semi-submerged loungers for just chilling out. All of this sounds really good, but I can't picture it.







I think one problem that we will definitely have is that there are not enough hours in the day to enjoy everything properly.

 

[Pinkocto]

That sounds wonderful! Are you able to interact with the otters as well? Do you pay separately for each activity?

 

[jedijill]

Wow, DC looks amazing. I did a dolphin swim in Cozumel several years ago and it was the highlight of my vacation. Dolphins are such amazing creatures.

Jill in CO

 

[dolphingirl47]

That sounds wonderful! Are you able to interact with the otters as well? Do you pay separately for each activity?

There are two main packages at Discovery Cove. The Day Resort Package includes parking; a complimentary photo when you enter the park; all the equipment (wetsuit or vest, snorkelling gear, towels and sunscreen); breakfast, lunch and all snacks and drinks during the day and unlimted access to the Grand Reef, Fresh Water Oasis, aviary, beach, resort pool and the lazy river. The package also includes two weeks unlimited access to SeaWorld and Aquatica. The Day Resort Package with Dolphins includes all the above plus the dolphin swim. On top of this you can add the Sea Venture helmet dive to either package and that is an extra $59. They also sell various photo packages and souvenirs.

The otters are behind glass so you can observe them, but not interact with them. The marmosets are on an island with a moat so again you can only observe them from a save distance. They do have various animal ambassadors out throughout the day that you can interact with like anteaters, sloth, tortoises, armadillos and various birds.

Wow, DC looks amazing. I did a dolphin swim in Cozumel several years ago and it was the highlight of my vacation. Dolphins are such amazing creatures.

Jill in CO

Where in Cozumel did you do your dolphin swim? I have been to Dolphin Discoveries twice. We both love Chankanaab. I did the Dolphin Swim Adventure the first time and the Manatee Encounter last November. At the moment I am mulling over if I should try to Royal Swim or the Sealion Encounter next time.

Corinna

 

[jedijill]

Where in Cozumel did you do your dolphin swim? I have been to Dolphin Discoveries twice. We both love Chankanaab. I did the Dolphin Swim Adventure the first time and the Manatee Encounter last November. At the moment I am mulling over if I should try to Royal Swim or the Sealion Encounter next time.

Corinna

I did the Royal Swim at Dolphin Discovery. The Royal swim was amazing! Lots of interaction with the dolphins...we did a fin pull....where you hold onto the fin and the dolphin pulls you around and the other one where the dolphin uses their nose to push your feet and you feel like Superman.

Jill in CO

 

[dolphingirl47]

I did the Royal Swim at Dolphin Discovery. The Royal swim was amazing! Lots of interaction with the dolphins...we did a fin pull....where you hold onto the fin and the dolphin pulls you around and the other one where the dolphin uses their nose to push your feet and you feel like Superman.

Jill in CO

I have done both as part of Trainer for a Day at Discovery Cove and also as part of a normal dolphin swim at the Atlantis in Dubai. I love the dorsal tow, but the foot push hurts my feet.

Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

Newsflash

This will feature in more detail later on in this report, but I am just about ready to burst with this news. I just managed to book our last night in Florida at the Beach Club Villas. This has been on my bucket list ever since we became DVC members.

Corinna

 

[jedijill]

Newsflash

This will feature in more detail later on in this report, but I am just about ready to burst with this news. I just managed to book our last night in Florida at the Beach Club Villas. This has been on my bucket list ever since we became DVC members.

Corinna

Congrats! Great news.

Jill in CO

 

[dolphingirl47]

Congrats! Great news.

Jill in CO

I still can't believe it. I was idly flicking around availability on the DVC website when I spotted this. We are driving up from Miami that day and will just chill out at Stormalong Bay when we get there.

Corinna

 

[franandaj]

I think one problem that we will definitely have is that there are not enough hours in the day to enjoy everything properly.

I think this is the biggest problem with Discovery Cove. We wanted to go there on our last few trips, but due to the open wounds on Fran's legs she wasn't able to get in the water. We're hoping that by the time we go back again, everything is fine and we can do all the things that you are hoping for. I'm really hoping to see more of this place through your TR, it sounds so neat!

 

[Linda67]

we have only visited DC once before - about 5 years ago - we loved it

I'm thinking that we may well book for our May/June 2014 trip as we simply don't have enough time in December

 

[dolphingirl47]

I think this is the biggest problem with Discovery Cove. We wanted to go there on our last few trips, but due to the open wounds on Fran's legs she wasn't able to get in the water. We're hoping that by the time we go back again, everything is fine and we can do all the things that you are hoping for. I'm really hoping to see more of this place through your TR, it sounds so neat!

There will be plenty of photos this time round. Since we last visited, I caught the photography bug and also got a waterproof digital camera. You are not allowed to take a camera when you do the dolphin swim, but everywhere else cameras are not only allowed, but encouraged.

we have only visited DC once before - about 5 years ago - we loved it

I'm thinking that we may well book for our May/June 2014 trip as we simply don't have enough time in December

It definitely sounds like another trip to Discovery Cove is overdue. I know what you mean about not having enough time in December.

Corinna

 

[Pinkocto]

Newsflash

This will feature in more detail later on in this report, but I am just about ready to burst with this news. I just managed to book our last night in Florida at the Beach Club Villas. This has been on my bucket list ever since we became DVC members.

Corinna

Awesome, congratulations!

 

[ForTheLoveOfDCL]

There will be plenty of photos this time round. Since we last visited, I caught the photography bug and also got a waterproof digital camera. You are not allowed to take a camera when you do the dolphin swim, but everywhere else cameras are not only allowed, but encouraged.

It definitely sounds like another trip to Discovery Cove is overdue. I know what you mean about not having enough time in December.

Corinna

Where can you take cameras in at???

 

[dolphingirl47]

Where can you take cameras in at???

At Discovery Cove in Orlando they allow cameras in all areas apart from the dolphin lagoon.

Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

Under three months

I was so crazy busy yesterday that I totally forgot that it was my three month mark yesterday. Today was also three months since our Alaska cruise finished and the time since then has flown. So I hope the next three months will fly as well.

Corinna

 

[PJB71]

Under three months

I was so crazy busy yesterday that I totally forgot that it was my three month mark yesterday. Today was also three months since our Alaska cruise finished and the time since then has flown. So I hope the next three months will fly as well.

Corinna

Me too

 

[dolphingirl47]

Flights booked

Before I continue with the scheduled programming, I wanted to share this with you. We took care of a major milestone today. We bought our flights. We both belong to a UK based Orlando forum that has a spin off Facebook group. Somebody posted on the Facebook group that Virgin Atlantic have a reward sale on at the moment. I checked both of our accounts and Graham had nearly enough miles for two tickets. We had to buy some extra miles, but this was a huge bargain. We are flying non stop from Manchester to Orlando and will arrived at 15:40. On the way back we will leave at 20:05. Having this sorted out makes this trip feel so much more real. Now I can book Disney's Magical Express for the trip back to the airport.

Corinna